2025 Business and Finance Symposium
We are excited to announce the 2025 Business & Finance Symposium, proudly sponsored by the Office of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and University Outreach. The symposium is offered for business managers and administrators with business and finance responsibilities across the University of Illinois System. The mission of the symposium is to provide its audience with knowledge and resources to enable them to manage the challenges they face and pursue excellence in their roles at the university.
The sessions chosen for the symposium were selected with recommendations and input from the business and finance advisory committees at all three universities.
Please join us for this in-person symposium, hosted at each university on the dates below. A complimentary hot breakfast and refreshments will be served.
Who to Ask
For more information, please contact our event coordinators:
Bernadette Rossmore: 312.413.3482 | rossmoor@uillinois.edu
Stacey Ballmes: 217.333.1202 | ballmes@uillinois.edu
Time and Location
UIUC - Monday, September 22, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon | iHotel and Conference Center - Heritage Hall Rooms 1, 2, 4, and 5
UIS - Tuesday, September 30, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon | UIS Student Union Ballroom
UIC - Tuesday, October 21, 8:00 a.m.–12 noon | Student Center East, Room Illinois AB
Schedule and Session Description
Please select the location where you will be attending.
8:00am–9:00am - Registration/Check-in & Breakfast
9:00am–9:30am - Welcome Remarks
- Ginger Velazquez, Executive Director for Business and Finance
- Karen Greenwalt, Assistant Vice President for Budget and Business Operations
- Aimee Heeter, Vice Chancellor for Finance, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
9:30am–10:15am - University Payables Challenges, Tips & Tricks, University Payables
Session Description: Explores some of the most common challenges that Payables staff encounter while conducting daily business. Learn some helpful tips and tricks for interacting with our office and streamlining processes.
Presenters:
- Angela Bensyl, Assistant Director, Payment Operations, University Payables
- Tammy Ziegler, Senior Coordinator, Payment Operations, University Payables
10:15am–10:30am - Break
10:30am–11:15am - Card Exceptions, University Payables
Session Description: Take a deep dive into how the card exception process works, how to avoid the need for exceptions, and when to request a necessary exception.
Presenters:
- Darren Strater, Senior Associate Director, Support Services, University Payables
- Amanda Schlieper, Associate Director, Support Services, University Payables
11:15am–12:00pm - Electronic Invoicing & Digital Mailroom, University Payables
Session Description: Discuss how technology is changing the invoice processing world. Learn about the options provided to vendors to move to an electronic invoicing format and how DMR will positively impact the University.
Presenters:
- Angela Bensyl, Assistant Director, Payment Operations, University Payables
- Pam Huffman, Senior Specialist, Payment Operations, University Payables
8:00am–9:00am - Registration/Check-in & Breakfast
9:00am–9:30am - Welcome Remarks
- Ginger Velazquez, Executive Director for Business and Finance
- Karen Greenwalt, Assistant Vice President for Budget and Business Operations
- Jill Wilberg, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, University of Illinois Springfield
9:30am–10:15am - University Payables Challenges, Tips & Tricks, University Payables
Session Description: Explores some of the most common challenges that Payables staff encounter while conducting daily business. Learn some helpful tips and tricks for interacting with our office and streamlining processes.
Presenters:
- Angela Bensyl, Assistant Director, Payment Operations, University Payables
- Tammy Ziegler, Senior Coordinator, Payment Operations, University Payables
10:15am–10:30am - Break
10:30am–11:15am - Card Exceptions, University Payables
Session Description: Take a deep dive into how the card exception process works, how to avoid the need for exceptions, and when to request a necessary exception.
Presenters:
- Darren Strater, Senior Associate Director, Support Services, University Payables
- Amanda Schlieper, Associate Director, Support Services, University Payables
11:15am–12:00pm - Electronic Invoicing & Digital Mailroom, University Payables
Session Description: Discuss how technology is changing the invoice processing world. Learn about the options provided to vendors to move to an electronic invoicing format and how DMR will positively impact the University.
Presenters:
- Angela Bensyl, Assistant Director, Payment Operations, University Payables
- Pam Huffman, Senior Specialist, Payment Operations, University Payables
8:00am–9:00am - Registration/Check-in & Breakfast
9:00am–9:30am - Welcome Remarks
- Matt Fajack, Vice Chancellor for Finance, University of Illinois Chicago
- Ginger Velazquez, Executive Director for Business and Finance
- Karen Greenwalt, Assistant Vice President for Budget and Business Operations
9:30am–10:15am - University Payables Challenges, Tips & Tricks, University Payables
Session Description: Explores some of the most common challenges that Payables staff encounter while conducting daily business. Learn some helpful tips and tricks for interacting with our office and streamlining processes.
Presenters:
- Angela Bensyl, Assistant Director, Payment Operations, University Payables
- Tammy Ziegler, Senior Coordinator, Payment Operations, University Payables
10:15am–10:30am - Break
10:30am–11:15am - Card Exceptions, University Payables
Session Description: Take a deep dive into how the card exception process works, how to avoid the need for exceptions, and when to request a necessary exception.
Presenters:
- Darren Strater, Senior Associate Director, Support Services, University Payables
- Amanda Schlieper, Associate Director, Support Services, University Payables
11:15am–12:00pm - Electronic Invoicing & Digital Mailroom, University Payables
Session Description: Discuss how technology is changing the invoice processing world. Learn about the options provided to vendors to move to an electronic invoicing format and how DMR will positively impact the University.
Presenters:
- Angela Bensyl, Assistant Director, Payment Operations, University Payables
- Pam Huffman, Senior Specialist, Payment Operations,